In the United States over 1.3 million house fires kill over 3,500 persons and injure over 15,000, costing billions of dollars in property damage each year. The tragedy to families is immense! However, each family can take some steps which will decrease the likelihood of death and injuries when these tragedies strike.
The first step is to write out an effective escape plan and share it with each family member. The plan should identify all possible exits for emergency use. For example, there’s a tendency to want to rush to the front or back door, which may be blocked by heavy smoke or flames when the easiest escape route might be right through a window which can be opened. The escape plan needs to contain a number of items.
Ensure each family understands during a fire emergency the only goal is to get everyone out of the fire safely. This is more important than any papers, possessions or even pets. Many tragedies are magnified when someone is delayed trying to grab certain key things before leaving their house, a little too late.
When preparing your fire escape plan, train each family member to look under and around each door before opening for any telltale signs of smoke. Then seeing none place your hand on the door to see if it’s hot. In a matter of seconds, a fire can explode, and smoke can compromise your breathable air.
In preparing your plan have each person practice crawling as low to the ground as possible where the air will be the best. Also, warm air rises so despite any challenges it is best to attempt to escape crawling on your belly.
When trying to escape keep your nose and mouth covered with a cloth. If you have nothing else than the shirt sleeve that you're wearing it will be a better filter than nothing.
Install smoke detectors throughout the house and test monthly, replacing batteries and devices as needed. A stunning 60% of deaths in house fires happen because homes don’t either have smoke detectors or they are not working correctly. If you do nothing else, ensure smoke detectors are properly installed and working.
Every second story house should have a rope ladder available, preferably in each room. In an emergency you don’t want folks scrambling for a ladder. Before ordering, measure the distance needed carefully so someone doesn’t have to drop down the last 12 feet. Keep escape ladders in upper bedrooms even if children are too small to utilize them. If a parent runs upstairs to get the little ones with smoke billowing, the parent can then deploy the ladder and escape with the child. Besides you’re going to want ladders when the kids get larger anyway.
Every home needs an abundance of fire extinguishers especially in areas more prone for fires, like garages, kitchens and hobby rooms. A few inexpensive fire extinguishers can make the difference between extinguishing a fire quickly or having the flames surge out of control.
Every family needs to have an agreed rally point when leaving a burning house. Generally, the best place is in the front yard so neighbors and firefighters will be able to verify everyone is safely out of the home. A parent shouldn’t need to rush back into a smoky house believing a child is still in the home when they are standing in the backyard.
Every family needs to practice their escape plan. Children should practice using the rope ladders so they will be confident should an emergency arise. Practice opening lower-level windows. Schools, hospitals and even nursing homes practice emergency fire drills, each family needs to do the same.
Paul wrote, “If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (! Corinthians 3:15 NIV) While
Paul was writing about spiritual matters the same principle applies, our home may be a total loss, but with good planning we can take steps to escape through the flames.
Learn more about being a ReadyChristian
No comments:
Post a Comment